OPEN
ENROLLMENT: JULY 10 – 20, 2023
We are pleased
to announce that the medical premiums for active employees will not change for
the Plan Year July 2023. This is the third consecutive year medical
premiums have remained the same.
Independent’s
Medical Plan is nearing its 14th year as a fully insured
medical plan and the ninth (9th) year we have provided two EPO
options (Low premium/Base Option and High premium/Buy-Up Option).
The
plan continues to be fully compliant under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Industry standards have continued to show double digits for health care
costs. Last year, Independent’s Plan had an 18.3% increase. This
year, Highmark presented an initial renewal increase of 8%.
Independent’s broker was successful in their negotiation with the carrier and
presented a flat renewal (0%). Highmark will offer a customer loyalty
credit, so the premiums remain unchanged. Independent’s medical plan expenses
are expected to be $1,440,579 for July 2023 year end.
A
third plan option is being added to the existing EPO lineup for FYE 2024.
These plans offer In-Network coverage only (EPO); there are
no Out-of-Network benefits. EPO members can access In-Network PPO providers
anywhere in the nation. Of course, the deductible differs within all three
plans as well as premium. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association's
website https://www.bcbs.com/ provides
online access to the most current listing of providers. EPO members can also
find network providers by calling a BlueCard customer service representative at
800-810-BLUE (2583).
Medical Premiums:
1.
Bronze Plan *new* ($6,350
Deductible) is the new option added to the EPO lineup. This EPO plan has
a $6,350 employee only deductible and $12,700 family deductible. This
plan design has a basic structure with the employee only premiums lower than
the current two options with a high deductible. There is a 30% discount
for non-tobacco users. Preventive care is also offered at 100% and the
deductible will not apply. The costs and premiums are:
2. Silver Plan
($3,000 EPO Deductible) was previously the low premium/high deductible
option. Premiums remain the same. This EPO plan
has a $3,000 employee only deductible and a
$6,000 family deductible. This plan’s design is to foster better
understanding of medical costs and the value of discounts prior to making our
health care choices. There is a 30% discount for non-tobacco users:
Preventive care will continue to be covered at 100%, the deductible will not
apply. The costs are:
3. Gold
Plan ($1,000
Deductible) was previously the Buy-Up Plan. Premiums remain the same.
This EPO plan has a deductible of $1,000 for employee only coverage and
$3,000 family deductible. This option has the lowest upfront deductible
with high premiums. Preventive care will continue to be covered at 100%
and the deductible will not apply. The costs are:
To help control your out-of-pocket costs, we encourage employees
and dependents to take advantage of the Plan’s preventive benefits. Your annual
physical, for example, is 100% covered --- with no co-pay or deductible cost to
you. Schedule your annual physical and follow the plan’s guidelines for staying
healthy. Please also note that if you purchase Voluntary Accident Insurance,
you will receive a reimbursement of $50 for seeing your Physician for an Annual
Physical!
The
prescription plan is also part of the Walmart National Rx network as well as
the Good Rx card which is also available to all regular full-time
employees. The card is used for discounts of up to 80% on most
prescription drugs at over 70,000 U.S. pharmacies. You can get discounts
for every member of your family including pets! Medication using this
service does not count towards medical deductible, but you may be able to find
significant discounts for your prescriptions.
Ancillary Benefits
Last
year, Guardian became the carrier for all ancillary benefits including
dental. Guardian is known for their life, dental, disability and vision
benefits that help people achieve financial confidence and well-being.
The rates remain unchanged PLUS another option has been added --- Pet
Insurance.
*new* PET INSURANCE: Guardian’s direct
platform is available for employees to apply for and Guardian directly. You may
save 5% on premiums to look after four-legged family members. The pet insurance
helps provide peace of mind by offering plans that reimburse up to 90% of the cost
of eligible veterinary treatment plus you can get flexible accident, illness,
and routine care coverage. To get started click on the https://www.guardiandirect.com/pet-insurance
to
find a plan that fits your needs.
VISION - Whether you
have perfect vision or need corrective lenses, preventive eye care is an
important part of maintaining good health and well-being. Protecting your
eyesight means allowing for routine visits for eye exams as well as coverage
for glasses and contacts. The Guardian plan allows for annual eye exams,
lenses, and every two years for frames. The vision plan also includes
network discounts (glasses and contact lens professional service) through Davis
Vision. The pre-taxed premiums remain unchanged and are:
$2.21 – Employee only
$4.19 – Employee and spouse
$4.26 – Employee and child(ren)
$6.75 - Family
Dental: The dental plan is a PPO plan, meaning you can visit any
dentist, but you pay less out-of-pocket when you choose a PPO dentist.
The pre-taxed premiums
remain unchanged and are:
$13.00 - Employee only
$25.00 - Employee child(ren)
$30.00 - Employee spouse
$40.00 - Family
Life Insurance: Guardian’s
life insurance plans also include Accidental Death & Dismemberment
(AD&D) for an additional cost of $ .03. Also included is a $500
infant benefit as well as a change for the Spouse Benefit that has coverage of
$10,000 to $200,000. Spouse coverage cannot exceed 100% of Employee’s
coverage amount.
Long Term Disability: The rates for
this coverage will be age banded.
Voluntary Accident: This benefit, which is like AFLAC, offers
various injury-free benefits. Guardian will pay $200 if a covered family is
claim free for five years as well as $50 when the wellness (preventive) benefit
is used during the year. The premiums remain unchanged and are:
$ 7.67 – Employee only
$11.60 – Employee and Spouse
$12.35 – Employee and Child(ren)
$16.28 – Family
Guardian also offers the following value-added benefits at no
additional charge:
- EAP (Employee Assistance Program). The service is
free, voluntary, and strictly confidential. Employees and immediate
family members are eligible to use EAP services.
- WillPrep. This service is provided by Uprise
Health and includes a range of different resources that make it easier to
prepare a will.
- TravelAid Services provides an emergency response
network to ensure that business travelers are not left on their own when
they need help the most, whether for a medical emergency or to replace
travel documents
If you wish to sign up for these benefits, please enroll during
the open enrollment period. Life insurance-related coverage may require
completion of the EOI (evidence of insurability) The various benefit
flyers can
be found under the Benefit Information on ADP's Home page
****** Benefit
Resources ******
USI
Benefit Resource Center is your one-call benefits information hotline.
The personal benefit advocates will assist you and your family with benefit
questions and claims issues. Contact Information:
Hours:
Monday – Friday 8 am to 5 pm EST
Phone:
855-874-6699 (toll free)
Email: BRCEast@usi.com
REMINDER --- You only need
to re-enroll if you wish to make a change to your current selections. If
you do not make changes during Open Enrollment, the only other time you may do
so is if you experience a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). A QLE includes
Birth or Adoption of a child, Death, Divorce, Court ordered coverage, or
Marriage.
You will receive an email from donotreply@adp.com explaining
the enrollment site.
